Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7996  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles & Events
August VI Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
Next Week Go to Days 16-31 at ERBzine 7996a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
THE PAST IS ALWAYS WITH US
August 1: On this day in 2023, Chris Adam’s Barsoom novel, “Dark Tides of Mars,” was offered for preorder. The sequel was soon to be published and Chris hopes that book number three won’t be far behind. The novel was published by Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated and may be ordered at: https://edgarriceburroughs.com/store/product/dark-tides-of-mars-a-novel-of-barsoom/
Chris was at Pulpfest (August 1-4, 2024) and so was Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. A good chance to meet the author and the publisher and maybe score a personally inscribed copy of the book.
The 100 drabble for today, “The Past is Always With Us,” is taken from the ERB Inc. website.What was ancient Barsoom like in its prime? How did it get that way? THE PAST IS ALWAYS WITH US
Barsoom is dying, its atmosphere thinning with each year, the seas that once flourished upon its surface dried up eons ago. When warrior-scientist Dat Voga is asked to become Helium’s ambassador to distant cities that may provide a desperate chance at life for the people of Barsoom, he leaps at the opportunity. But even as this new hope dangles on a thread, a madman seeks to hasten the Red Planet’s doom—and Dat Voga is hurled headlong upon an odyssey across the chasm of Time itself!
THE WAY HE WROTE IT
August 2: On this day in 2021, Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated published the restored edition of “Beyond the Farthest Star.” It was published in three editions, paperback, hardback, and a hardback collector’s edition. The collector’s edition is sold out, but the other two editions are available at: https://edgarriceburroughs.com/
The novel was originally published in two parts. “Adventure on Poloda” was published by Blue Book Magazine in January 1942, and the second half, Tangor Returns,” was first published in “Tales of Three Planets,” by Canaveral Press in 1964. Ace and Ballantine both published paperback editions of the book. The restored edition uses ERB’s original manuscript – sans edits by Blue Book editors. Full e-text for both parts plus publishing history and many illustrations are featured in ERBzine C.H.AS.E.R. BIBLIOGRAPHY at:
https://www.erbzine.com/mag8/0862.html
The 100 word drabble for today is “The Way He Wrote It,” and it’s taken from the ERB website.The 1941 Blue Book magazine publication comprising Part I of Beyond the Farthest Star was heavily edited, with a substantial number of edits on almost every page and several lengthy and meaningful passages deleted throughout. That altered and abridged text was the basis for all book editions of the novel—until now. We have gone back to ERB’s original typescript from our archives in Tarzana, California, and restored the author’s preferred text of the novel in Beyond the Farthest Star: Restored Edition. Enjoy this classic science fiction adventure in the way that Edgar Rice Burroughs intended it to be read! THE WAY HE WROTE IT
HERE TO HELP YOU
August 3: On this day in 1885, a fire destroyed the Burroughs’ Phoenix Distillery operated by Edgar Rice Burroughs’ father, Captain George Tyler Burroughs. George and his bride, may Evaline Zieger Burroughs had moved to Chicago in 1868, where George became quite successful as a distiller, operating the Phoenix Distillery Company and Abel Ames and Company. Both businesses survived the great Chicago fire in 1871, but the Phoenix Distillery burned in 1885. The two photos are of typical distilleries from the time period. More about the Burroughs Phoenix Distillery fire in our Major George Tyler Burroughs, Sr. Tribute at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag9/0942.html at: THE PHOENIX DISTILLERY FIRE
https://www.erbzine.com/mag9/0942.html#Phoenix
The fictional drabble for today, “Here To Help You,” is inspired by the distillery fire.Young Edgar Rice Burroughs said, “Dad, Mom says the distillery burned down. What will you do now? Will a new business rise from the ashes like a Phoenix in those Arabian Night stories?” HERE TO HELP YOU
“I’ve been considering a new business. Someday, the government could outlaw alcohol. Some people think it’s evil.”
“Why, Jesus made water into wine. The government would never dare.”“The government can change anything for your own good. No more alcohol, no more codeine, no opium. Books could be banned or edited to protect people from evil words and pictures. The government helps those who can’t help themselves.”
LOVE IS COLOR BLIND
August 4: On this day in 1927, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “Apache Devil,” the sequel to “The War Chief.” The first edition of this book has a beautiful cover by Studley Oldham Burroughs, Ed’s nephew, my favorite cover.
The novel was serialized in Argosy All-Story Weekly from may 19th through June 23, 1928. Paul Stahr’s illustration graced the first installment and Roger B. Morrison drew an interior illustration for each issue. The first edition was published by ERB, Inc. of February 15, 1933. Grosset and Dunlap, Ballantine, and Gregg have published reprints of the novel.
The novel features love between a white woman and Shoz-Dijiji. an Apache war chief, certainly a taboo subject in the 1920s. The War Chief is actually a white man who was raised by the Apache, but he considers himself an Apache. The woman, Victoria Billings, believes he is an Apache. A brave story, and one where Burroughs pushed as hard as the times and publishers would allow. Not the first time that Burroughs wrote about a white man and a red woman – he wrote a little story called, A Princess of Mars
The 100 word drabble. “Love is Color Blind,” for today was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and it is from the last few paragraphs of the novel. The woman is Wichita Billings and the man is Shoz-Dijiji, the War Chief. The drabble is a spoiler if you haven’t read the book. If you haven’t, stop right here and go to https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0775.html“I’m an Apache, and you are a white girl." LOVE IS COLOR BLIND
"I don’t care. I love you!"
"Are you very sure,?" he asked.
"I am very sure, Shoz-Dijiji."
"Shoz-Dijiji will be very happy if he finds that you can love him even though he is an Indian—then he will tell you something you will be glad to know.""There is something you could tell me now that I should like to hear, Shoz-Dijiji," she whispered.
"What is that?"
"You haven’t told me that you love me."
"Shoz-Dijiji no sabe," he said, smiling. Then he bent and covered her lips with his.
BANTAN OF THE ISLANDS
August 5: On this day in 1977, Maurice Gardner, writer of the Bantan novels, charter member of the Burroughs Bibliophiles, and frequent contributor to the original Burroughs Bulletin series, Maurice Gardner died. I have ten Bantan novels, all autographed. Gardner called h is character “god-like” in the first couple books, but removed that reference in the later books and reprints. Read “Why I Wrote the Bantan Novels” at August 5, 2024 and years ago on this day in 1977, Maurice Gardner, writer of the Bantan novels, charter member of the Burroughs Bibliophiles, and frequent contributor to the original Burroughs Bulletin series, Maurice Gardner died. I have ten Bantan novels, all autographed. Gardner called h is character “god-like” in the first couple books, but removed that reference in the later books and reprints. Read “Why I Wrote the Bantan Novels” at https://www.erbzine.com/mag15/1523.html
The 100 word drabble for today, “Bantan of the Islands,” is an excerpt from that article.My first Bantan novel concerned a young man who loved to swim as I did. Perhaps that is where my imagination had its initial testing -- having been fostered by having read the Tarzan books, and the other novels Mr. Burroughs had written. BANTAN OF THE ISLANDS
Bantan, a boy of three, born of American parents, was marooned upon an island in the South Pacific, adopted and reared to young manhood by natives.
Mr. Burroughs admitted the only mistake he made in the famed Tarzan series was to have Tarzan married at the end of the second book. through I managed to keep Bantan unmated.
FORGOTTEN LORE
August 6: On this day in 2021, Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. published first edition of “John Carter of Mars: Gods of the Forgotten” by Geary Gravel including the novelette, “Victory Harben: Stormwinds of Va-nah.”
The novel takes place in the Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe and it faithfully adheres to the Barsoom novels. The book features characters, major and minor, who appeared in the original novels. Outstanding research and wonderful execution.
The novel is available in three editions, paperback, hardcover, and a hardcover collector’s edition which is almost sold out at: https://edgarriceburroughs.com/store/....
The drabble for today, “Forgotten Lore,” was inspired by the title of the book and a somewhat warped sense of humor. It has nothing to do with the actual contents of this excellent novel. Thanks to E. A. Poe for the title.John Carter and Tars Tarkas defeated a forest of plant men and rested. Carter cleaned the sticky sap from his sword. “Tars, I do hate fighting sentient plants. It’s too much like chopping vegetables.” FORGOTTEN LORE
Tarkas nibbled a stalk and spit it out. “Well, John, I understand that your people require a certain amount of fiber in your diet. We don’t. My people eat the people that eat the plants.”
“That’s harsh.”
“We are as the gods made us.”
“Which gods?”
“I’m not sure. My people aren’t big on gods.”
“No worries. It probably doesn’t matter.”
“That’s good because I’ve forgotten.”
IVORY
August 7: On this day in 1932, the Hal Foster and George Carlin Tarzan Sunday story arc, “The Elephants Graveyard,” began. The strip ran for eight weeks ending on September 25, 1932. It was reprinted in the House of Greystoke and Tarzan Folio #2, Volumes one and two of “Tarzan and Color” published by Flying Buttress, and Dark Horse Comics’ “Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan: The Sunday Comics Volume 1, 1931-1933” Enjoy ALL the Hal Foster Tarzan Sunday pages in ERBzine at: https://www.ERBzine.com/foster
Beautiful Art and story. Some of the pages and summaries of all of them are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag55/5547.html
An elephants' graveyard is a place where, according to legend, old elephants instinctively direct themselves when they reach a certain age. According to this legend, these elephants would then die there alone, far from the group. However, there is no evidence in support of the existence of the elephants' graveyard. The idea of a graveyard for elephants was popularized in films such as Trader Horn and MGM's Tarzan films, in which groups of greedy explorers attempt to locate the elephants' graveyard in search of its riches of ivory.
The drabble for today is “Ivory,” inspired by the “Elephants’ Graveyard,” and the relentless ivory poaching that continues to this day.The safari guide said, “Tarzan, lead us to the elephants’ graveyard. We’ll find all the ivory we want there and we won’t have to kill any elephants.” IVORY
“You’re mistaken if you believe the living pachyderms will allow you to desecrate their dead.”
The guide shrugged. “Living or dead, we’ll take what we’ve come for.”
“It’s a ten-day march. A lot can happen in ten days.”
“Nevertheless, people want to own ivory. We’re only meeting the demand.”
“No, the only creatures who should own ivory are the elephants.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Perhaps the elephants will be able to convince you.”
OPEN ACCESS
August 8: On this day in 1991, Edgar Rice Burroughs’s son, Hulbert Burroughs, passed away. Hulbert was an athlete, photographer, and author.
He served in the Pacific during WW2. His draft notice is attached to this article. https://www.erbzine.com/mag64/6426.html
There is a book of his photography available from Barnes “and Noble, apparently shipping from Australia. The title is “Hulbert Burroughs The Desert Magazine Photographs and Articles.” The book was $20.00, shipping was $18.00. I ordered it today. Here’s the link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Hulbert wrote the foreword to Irwin Porges’s “Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Man How Created Tarzan.” The drabble for today, “Open Access,” is taken from that foreword.Mr. Porges is the first and only researcher who was afforded complete and uncensored access to all of the Burroughs family's personal files as well as those of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. My editorial work on the manuscript involved corrections, addition of interesting material unknown to Porges, and the preparation and production of illustrative matter. No attempt whatever was made to produce a sympathetic book. Cele Porges, Irwin's talented wife, devoted nearly three years researching the voluminous archives at our company offices and warehouse in Tarzana. The result is a fascinating and well-written story of a man and his career. OPEN ACCESS
DRAW THE DREAM
August 9: On this day in 1942 the Burne Hogarth / Don Garden Sunday Tarzan story arc, Tarzan and the Barbarians, began. The story ran for 64 weeks and was reprinted in NBM, Tarzan in Color Vols. 11-13, in Comic Strip Preserves, Book 2,~ and Titan Books' Vol.2: TARZAN AND THE BARBARIANS. Enjoy hundreds more Hogarth Tarzan Sunday pages in ERBzine at: https://www.ERBzine.com/hogarth
The drabble for today, “Draw the Dream,” is a combination of comments by Burne Hogarth about why he became an artist.I've sold shoes, hawked newspapers, jerked sodas, gazed rapturously at the tinsel dream at the end of a runway from my usher's aisle in a burley-cue, drove a truck - then because I didn't like being pushed around, started pushing a pencil around. My father would sit and design furniture and cabinets - he was a carpenter and cabinet maker - and I’d ask for my own piece of paper and pencil. And when I’d say, 'What should I draw?' he’d push a cartoon under my nose and say, 'Draw this.' The cartoon became a kind of focus of attention. DRAW THE DREAM
CHOOSE WISELY
August 10: On this day in 1997, Gray Morrow / Mark Kneece, Tarzan Sunday story arc, “The Lost Library of Alexandria,’ concluded. The story began on May 11, 2024 and ran for 14 weeks.
All of the Gray Morrow Sunday pages are available at www.erbzine.com, and this one begins at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag58/5804.html
The story has a treasure map, a damsel in distress, an evil safari guide, a leopard named Sheetah, and elephants. What more could you ask for.
The drabble for today, "Choose Wisely", is from the story arc with a little inspiration from the Grail Knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.Tarzan and Patricia investigated the labyrinth guarding the lost Library of Alexandria and they encountered a very old man. CHOOSE WISELY
“I’m the keeper of the flame. You are the only people to penetrate the labyrinth this far in two thousand years. Tell me the news of the world. Have the rioting masses have been quelled? Is the library safe?”
Burnhardt, the evil safari guide, demanded the Keeper tell him how to find the library.”
The Keeper pointed. “Three doors, choose one.”
The guide walked through the middle door and the ceiling fell on him.”
The Keeper said, “Alas, He chose poorly.”
CONTROL
August 11: On this day in 1939, Edgar Rice Burroughs bought back the copyright and the printing plates for The Monster Men from A. C. McClurg for fifty dollars. I wonder if ERB Inc. still has those plates? McClurg had published the first edition of the novel a little over ten years earlier (March 15, 1929) and Grosset and Dunlap began reprinting the book in 1930 and according to Joe Lukes’s “Edgar Rice Burroughs: A Descriptive Bibliography of the Grosset & Dunlap Reprints,” G&D published four variant editions, apparently publishing the last variant in 1931.
The publishing history of the novel and several illustrations: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0756.html
After Burroughs bought back the copyright, ERB Inc. never reprinted the book. Canaveral Press did so several years later in 1962. ERB Inc. plans to issue a new version of the novel and a sequel over the next two years. Looking forward to them.
The drabble for today is, “Control,' and it was inspired by that decision.John Coleman Burroughs said, “Dad, two heavy crates arrived this morning. They’re printing plates for “The Monster Men.” CONTROL
“Yes, I bought back the rights and the plates for the novel. They cost fifty bucks and the shipping cost another $18.00.”
“Why?”
“They haven’t reprinted the novel in eight years. No one can buy it if it’s not on the shelves."
“Should I work on a cover?”
“No, we’re not reprinting any of my books.”
“Again, why buy back the rights?”
“Control. To reprint or not to reprint should be my choice, not the choice some editor whom I’ve never met.”
THE OLD WAYS
August 12: On this day in 2014, the Dewet Du Toit twenty-five-minute film, Tarzan Vrs. Predator, was released. The film is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l94oCNpSc3I . It is written and directed by Du Toit, who also plays Tarzan. Very good production quality, great visuals, and minimum dialogue. Tarzan does the victory cry and there are some voice overs. Faithful to the character. Watch it and then watch the other Du Toit films. More about Delwet in ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag62/6268.html
The drabble for today, “The Old Ways,” was inspired by the film.Tarzan was relaxing in a cool jungle pool when he spotted the Predator, a monstrous hunter from another planet. He had to kill the beast, but he knew that he who fights monsters must not himself become a monster. THE OLD WAYS
Tarzan learned the hunter in spite of his alien weapons and devices was just like any hunter who hunted for pleasure, not for need. While the creature checked his devices, Tarzan killed him with a tree branch.
He sounded his victory cry and said out loud. “He who is distracted by technology in a savage world, often dies a savage death.”
SUB-REGIONAL DIALECT
August 13: On this day ninety-nine years ago in 1925, actress Jane Webb provided voices for all thirty-six episodes of the animated Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, born in Chicago Illinois. Her voice graced thirty-six episodes of the animated “Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle” television series, was born. She was known for an amazing variety of voices and was voicing “other voices on the Tarzan series and many more.” She was given the name, Jane Karyl Webb, at birth.
She appeared on multiple radio shows and signed with Paramount Pictures in 1939. She had five film credits and three of those were ‘voice only,” Her television career was more extensive and including voice several Filmation animated series including “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” “The New Adventures of Gilligan,” and “Sabrina, Super Witch.”
Details about the Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle animated series: https://www.erbzine.com/mag27/2799.html
The 100 word fictional drabble for today, “Sub-Regional Dialect,” is from a non-existent conversation with Jane Webb and Robert Ridgely, who voiced Tarzan on Filmation’s “Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle,” television series. I would point out that I am from Oklahoma and despite efforts on my part, my voice retains some of the inflections and characteristics from my birth area. I’m happy about that.Robert Ridgely looked up from the microphone. “Jane, I count six characters in this scene, but we’re the only ones here.” SUB-REGIONAL DIALECT
“That’s right. I’m the female archeologist, the voodoo priestess, two female villagers, and the lady pilot from Oklahoma.”
“I’m amazed at how quickly you change your voice.”
“Well, I’ve been doing voices since 1933.”
“But, Oklahoma?”
“Sure, I asked them what part of Oklahoma my character was from and gave them five voices to choose from, OKC, Tulsa, Muskogee, Idabel, and Enid.”“There’s a difference?”
“Yes. They said I could choose. I like Tulsa, the twang is less pronounced.”
I STILL LIVE
August 14: On this day in 1966, the New York Sunday News published an article about a former Tarzan, “Mr. Pollar, I Presume,” subtitled ‘Tarzan No. 2 Alive.” The article was written by Earnest Leogrande and may be read in its entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2986.html
Gene Pollar (Pohler) who played the Lord of the Jungle in “The Return of Tarzan: and had been incorrectly reported deceased, was in New York with his wife Kay visiting friends. He even visited the News office to prove he was alive and well. His film career only lasted a year and he avoided publicity – all too well.
The drabble for today, “I Still Live, is an excerpt from that article.The Management of this newspaper is proud to present, in an exclusive engagement, star of that 1920 jungle thriller, "The Return of Tarzan." I STILL LIVE
Not only proud to present him but relieved.
About a month ago we compared the upcoming TV Tarzan, Ron Ely, with his movie predecessors., including Pollar, whom we mourned as having gone on to that big tree house in the sky.The other day the telephone rang and a robust voice asked, "Do you believe in reincarnation?"
Before we came up with an answer the voice said, "You better, because this is Gene Pohlar and I'm alive."
SPIRIT ANIMAL
August 15: On this day in 1949, Paul Reinman / Rob Thompson Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan and the Leopard Men,” began. The story ran for 78 days and ended on the 12th of November, 1940. Reinman and Thompson combined for five story arcs, all in 1949.
Read the entire story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag49/4939.html
The drabble for today, “Spirit Animal,” was inspired by the story arc and spirit animals everywhere. Thanks to Edward Albee for the punch line.The explorer said, “Tarzan, the natives seem obsessed with leopards. They dress as leopards, hunt like leopards, and even kill like leopards.” SPIRIT ANIMAL
Tarzan replied, “Leopards are mighty hunters. The natives invoke their spirits to frighten other men and to protect their land.”
“Well, I’m certainly afraid of leopards, but there are other animals in the jungle. The tribes seem to only pick leopards. Why is that?”
“It should be obvious. Who’s going to be afraid of parrot men or antelope men?”
“I’m from Virginia. Big Wolves live here. Maybe wolfmen would be good.”
“No, who’s afraid of a Virginia wolf.”
